Palenque is the ruin site that disappears into the jungle. Literally — only a fraction of the city has been excavated. Hundreds of structures remain buried under the canopy of the Chiapas jungle, covered in roots and vegetation. What has been uncovered is some of the finest Maya architecture anywhere: the Palace with its tower, the Temple of the Inscriptions, and tomb of King Pakal.
In This Article
The Palace
The Palace complex dominates the center of the site. A maze of rooms, corridors and courtyards built over centuries by successive rulers. The four-story tower is unique in Maya architecture — nothing like it exists at any other site. The stucco reliefs on the walls show scenes of captive taking and ritual.
Temple of the Inscriptions
This is the burial pyramid of K’inich Janaab Pakal, who ruled Palenque for 68 years. The tomb deep inside the pyramid was discovered in 1952 — a carved sarcophagus lid showing Pakal descending into the underworld. The tomb itself is now closed to visitors (humidity damage) but a replica is in the site museum.
The three panels of hieroglyphic text that give the temple its name are among the longest Maya inscriptions known. They record the history of Palenque’s dynasty.
Area Ruins
Bonampak, about 2.5 hours southeast by road, has the most complete Maya murals ever found. Three rooms of vivid paintings showing battle, sacrifice and celebration, dating to around 790 AD. The colors have faded but enough remains to be remarkable.
Yaxchilan is further into the jungle on the Usumacinta River — you reach it by boat from Frontera Corozal. The carved lintels and stelae here are among the best Maya sculpture. It is remote and atmospheric — monkeys in the trees, birds everywhere.
Lodging and Access
Palenque town is 7km from the ruins. Hotels range from budget to mid-range. Several places sit along the road between town and the site entrance, surrounded by jungle. ADO buses run from Villahermosa (2 hours), San Cristobal de las Casas (5 hours), and Merida (8 hours). The site entry is around 90 pesos.